There are many fascinating scientific aspects to yoga, including how we should breathe. For example, inhaling and exhaling through the nose is the best approach during practice. But why?
Healthline reports that "nose breathing is beneficial primarily because it allows your nasal cavities to:
Reduce exposure to foreign substances,
Humidify and warm inhaled air,
Increase air flow to arteries, veins, and nerves,
Increase oxygen uptake and circulation,
slow down breathing,
Improve lung capacity,
Strengthen the diaphragm,
Lower your risk of allergies and hay fever,
Reduce your risk of coughing,
Aid your immune system,
Lower your risk of snoring and sleep apnea."
Nasal breathing is also a cue to your nervous system that no threats are present. Mouth breathing, on the other hand, activates your "fight or flight" response. That's not to say that sometimes mouth breathing isn't necessary. Some people find it helpful to open their mouth and exhale, or sigh. The Cleveland Clinic indicates that "it can happen due to an emotional response like stress or relief, but you can also sigh without even noticing it. In fact, on average, people produce about 12 'spontaneous sighs' within an hour." A long sigh can also help reset the tiny air sacs (also known as alveoli) in your lungs. We use a few breathing or pranayama techniques that include a mouth exhale, too. But generally, nasal breathing is better during yoga movement. It also helps train your respiratory system to breath better during more strenuous activities such as weight training or running. So remember, it might be tempting to always exhale through your mouth during yoga practice, and this is okay to do occasionally. However, you'll add more to the experience—and reap the benefits above—if you focus on nasal breathing.
Photo by Darius Bashar on Unsplash